This bill amends the law regarding postmortem examinations in cases of apparent drug, alcohol, or poison toxicity. Specifically, it modifies the conditions under which a county coroner is required to submit a decedent to the State Crime Laboratory for such examinations. The previous requirement that a significant interval must have passed while the person was hospitalized has been deleted, allowing for a more straightforward process in determining the need for a postmortem examination.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new definition of "hospitalized," clarifying that it refers to a person being admitted to a hospital for inpatient treatment. This change aims to ensure that the criteria for conducting postmortem examinations are clear and consistent, thereby improving the handling of cases involving potential toxicities.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1568 V2 - 2-27-2025 10:41 AM: 12-12-318(a)
Old version HB1568 Original - 2-24-2025 04:12 PM: 12-12-318(a)
HB 1568: 12-12-318(a)
Act 289: 12-12-318(a)